LAWMEN are investigating the policeinvolved shooting death of a Cave Hill man yesterday, but some residents are up in arms over the way it took place.
Communications and public affairs officer Inspector Ryan Brathwaite said a patrol, comprising police and Barbados Defence Force personnel, encountered the man around 12:45 p.m. along Cave Hill Main Road, St Michael.
“The man was acting suspiciously. Police stopped the vehicle and the male looked in their direction and ran away. He was pursued and whilst being pursued, he drew a firearm and engaged the police and was shot.
“Assistance was immediately sought from personnel of the ambulance service, who examined the body and said that there were no signs of life. A medical doctor subsequently visited the scene, examined the body and pronounced death. A firearm was recovered at the scene. Investigations are continuing,” he added.
Up to press time, police had not revealed his identity.
However, some eyewitnesses claimed that the victim, whose name they gave as Max, had issues with one of the officers. They also questioned the shooting.
“They run up, run the guy and wait until he was out of the line of sight and shoot he. We already had another tragedy right here, and now the police come and kill somebody else . . . .
“We tired of this nonsense in the community. Yes, the police have a serious and dangerous job, but this is not right. People need to be able to live and he did not deserve that,” one upset man told the DAILY NATION.
On June 22, Gavin Nicholas Archer, 24, of Well Gap, Cave Hill, was leaving a shop at the junction of Whitehall Main Road and St Stephen’s Hill, St Michael, when one of four men on two motorcycles opened fire on him. He was taken to the hospital in a private car, but succumbed to his injuries.
Another man said Max was a landscaper and made rotis for sale in the nearby shop. He said he had recently lost a sister to violent circumstances and was constantly posting memories of her.
“He had his problems, but he always used to smile and try to get by,” he said, adding Max was out on bail.
Brathwaite said anyone who took issue with the operation could contact the Office of Professional Responsibility or the Police Complaints Authority.
“All investigations are treated to the same standard. It is very transparent,” he said.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-8477, police emergency 211 or District ‘A’ Police Station at 430-7246 or 430-7242. (CA/PR)
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